Senate approves debt ceiling bill, May jobs report ahead - what's moving markets

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Investing.com -- U.S. stock futures rise after the Senate voted in favor of raising the debt ceiling, boosting hopes that the U.S. will avoid a damaging default. Meanwhile, traders await the release of a May jobs report that could impact the Federal Reserve's monetary policy plans.

1. Senate passes debt ceiling bill

U.S. senators voted to approve a deal to raise the country's borrowing limit and avert a default that threatened to have global consequences.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hailed the decision, saying it allows the U.S. to "breathe a sigh of relief."

Following weeks of partisan strife over an agreement to lift the $31.4 trillion debt ceiling, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle in Congress's upper chamber were widely in unison in their backing of the legislation. The measure was passed with the support of 63 senators, while 36 were opposed.

The bill, which was also given the green light by the House of Representatives earlier this week, suspends the debt ceiling until 2025 and caps some federal spending. To avoid a default, the accord only now needs the signature of President Joe Biden before June 5, when the Treasury Department believes the government could run out of money to pay back its obligations.

2. Nonfarm payrolls due out

Along with the debt ceiling bill's progress through Congress, investors will also be keeping an eye on the much-anticipated release of the U.S. jobs report for May.

The Labor Department's data is expected to show that the world's largest economy added 180,000 roles during the month, down from 253,000 in April.

Officials at the Federal Reserve have said they will be paying attention to the numbers as they attempt to gauge the state of the labor market ahead of their next two-day policy meeting starting on June 13.

If the figures point to a cooling in labor demand, it could lend support to the Fed pushing pause on its long-standing campaign of interest rate hikes aimed at busting stubbornly elevated inflation. In theory, a softening jobs market may contribute to a slowdown in price growth via a reduction in wage pressures.

However, debate remains over whether the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee should skip a hike at its upcoming gathering or carry on with its tightening cycle.

3. Futures rise after Senate vote

Stock futures on Wall Street pointed higher on Friday, supported by relief that the Senate's passage of the debt ceiling deal will all but certainly mean that the U.S. will evade a self-inflicted default.

At 05:01 ET (09:01 GMT), the benchmark S&P 500 futures contract gained 15 points or 0.34%, Dow futures climbed by 127 points or 0.38%, and Nasdaq 100 futures increased by 46 points or 0.32%.

Such a rally would mark a continuation of buoyant trading in the previous session, when both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100closed at their highest levels since August last year.

Shares were also given a boost on Thursday after two Fed policymakers said earlier this week that they would prefer to pause rate hikes at the June meeting.

4. Oil moves higher; OPEC+ meeting ahead

Oil prices rose on Friday, with the Senate's debt limit approval soothing worries that the U.S. will tip into a default that threatened to cause a recession in the world's top oil consumer.

That said, gains have been held back by official data showing U.S. crude inventories unexpectedly grew almost 4.5 million barrels over the past week, hinting at elevated supply and softening demand even as the travel-heavy summer season gets underway.

By 05:01 ET, U.S. crude futures traded 1.68% higher at $71.28 a barrel, while the Brent contract added 1.72% to $75.56 per barrel.

Traders will also be looking ahead to this weekend's latest meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, including Russia. Uncertainty over the group's future production plans hangs over the gathering.

5. Lululemon surges

Shares in Lululemon Athletica Inc (NASDAQ:LULU) spiked by more than 14% in premarket trading on Friday after the athleisure retailer unveiled an upgrade to its annual earnings and revenue outlook that topped Wall Street estimates.

The Vancouver-based company raised its guidance for full-year income per share of $11.74 to $11.94 on net sales of between $9.44 billion - $9.51B. Bloomberg consensus forecasts had placed the numbers at $11.73 and $9.36B, respectively.

Meanwhile, first-quarter profit and revenue also beat expectations thanks in large part to solid performance in China and lower air freight costs.

Lululemon Chief Executive Calvin McDonald noted that the group has seen "no change" in its customers' behavior, suggesting that demand for its pricier comfortable clothing remains strong despite inflationary pressures that have weighed on retail spending.